Beam and all constructions applicable thereto



Dec. 13, 1966 J. WERMAN BEAM AND ALL GONSTRUCTIONS APPLICABLE THERETOFiled Jan. 5, 1964 2 Sheets-snelst. l

Dec., 13 166 J. WERMAN 3,299,843

BEAM AND ALL CONSTRUCTIONS APPLICABLE THERETO Filed Jan. 3, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 y;

United States Patent O 3,290,843 BEAM AND ALL CONSTRUCTIONS APPLICABLETHERET() Jacques Werman, 305 West End Ave., New York, N.Y. Filed Jan. 3,1964, Ser. No. 335,484 Claims priority, applicgtion Belgium, Mar. 13,1963,

The object of this invention is the provision of a beam presenting aparticular shape and of a novel conception relating to fioorconstruction, puiggings, foundation ra-fts rand other similarconstructions.

The purpose of this invention consists in the realization of extremelylight beams, which are -durable and easily and economicallymanufactured.

The construction of the present beams permits the realization under newconditions, of floor constructions and the like, under which there Iis asystematic solution to any requirement of rapid -and economic execution.Furthermore the present construction enables the combining of optimalcriterions for thermal and ac-oustic insulation in many ways such as inhanging ceilings, air conditioning, and the provision of passages.

Another object of the inventi-on is to be found in a more rationaldivision of the characteristics of ioors and similar constructions, moreparticularly of the hollow zones and the zones of resistance, because ofthe minimal quantity of raw mate-rial incorporated and the possibilityof an easier and more rational distribution of the reinforcement inproportion to the required load and strengthconditions.

Another object of the invention also resides in the particular `facilitywith which the beams, and the constructions obtained with them, can beprestressed.

All these results and advantages are essentially base-d on theparticular `tonni of `the beam, which is shaped igenerally in the 'formof the letter E in which median and inferior branches are of the samelength, whereas the superior branch is substantially shorter than theothers. Such a beam can easily be molded with the use of a very simplematerial, the casting .being under such conditions, that the strippingcould be executed by reinforcement of the molds and a perfectly stableand unito-rm application ot the back surface of the beam on an adequatesupport drying area.

Such beams can be composed of concrete of variable composition in knownways, and particularly by vibration to get a good compacity, ya uniformand tight texture and at the same time -a reduction to a strict minimumof occluded air.

As a rule such beams will be provided with longitudinal reinforcementsand stirrups, the whole being easily determined by those skilled in theart.

Although this beam can be produced in all transverse dimensions andpractically in all lengths, of course in recognized and acceptedbuilding standards. According to a characteristic of the invention theymay be eXe-cuted in relatively reduced transverse dimensions, e.'g.,from 100 to 150 mm. in the width and l0() to 200 in height.

In accordance with the invention there is thus provided a series whichcorrespon-ds to a speciic strength and capable of being introduced inall modulated constructions By t-he simple `arrangement of disposing thebeams by joining them opposite each other, a novel resistant structureis obtained offering great advantages. Etectively, by this jointeddisposition, one obtains automatically in the lower zone of theconstruction, tubular passages relatively broad and of `reduced height,in such a way that the eicacy of the zone of occlusive air is reallymaximum, as

3,290,843 Patented Dec. 13, 1966 a result of the action of a layer, atact which is generally well known.

On the other hand, the same jointed beams deter-mine a succession ofshaped hollows which dorm housings and excellent means of anchorage forthe lling materials. These filling materials of complementaryresistance, or more generally, material -tor the upper illing, such asmaterial or compounded material especially conditioned with a v-ieW toincrease thermic and/or acoustic insulation.

Such constructions are extremely easily, rapidly and economicallyobtained. Because of the low weight of the pret'abricated ele-ments,their easy transporation, rapid placing, and the absence of any core.

Moreover there may be intro-duced either in the beam or in theinstallation thereof during construction other modifica-tions such aslaths `for nailing, complementary reinforcement-s, deectors tor heatingfluids, or refrigerant, or perforation of the lower surface, etc.

The embodiments described in .detail hereafter, with reference to the`following drawings are not to be considered as limitative.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view partly in section showing anelement, in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a door (or pugging) inwhich -a plurality of the elements corresponding to FIGURE 1 arecomb-ined.

FIGURE 3 is a view corresponding to FIGURE 2 b-ut showing a secondmodication.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective View, partly in section of a dooror pugging showing a third modi-cation in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG- URE 2 and showing afourth modification.

FIGURE 6 is a section-al view corresponding t-o FIG- URE 2 and showing afifth modication.

As it is shown in FIGURE l, the beam element generally indicated byreference character 1, according to the invention, in cross-section hasthe `form of the letter The beam 1 is of special shape and comprises anupper llian-ge 3, a median flange 5, a lower -ange 4, and a body 2. Thelower ange 4 and the median lflange 5 have a length L transversely ofthe beam element 1 and the upper flange has ya length transversely ofthe beam element 1 L' L. As necessary, beam element 1 can be providedwith suitable reinformements, .for instance, longitudinal reinforcements6 and transverse stirrups 7.

The flanges 3 and 4 and the median flange 5 preferably present a sectionso that their lateral sides `are slightly convergent, for the purpose offacilitating industrial production. Indeed, according to acharacteristic of the invention, these beams 1 will be, by preference,cast with their back port-ion 8 upwardly directed, in such a way thatthe stripping can be done by the `inversion of the mold, the beam lyingcorrectly 'and 4in :a Very stable manner, by the aforesaid back portionon the drying area.

This method of molding has also the advantage, that the describedflanges 3, 4, and 5 stay the nearest possible to a vibrating table (notshown), which produces a beam element having a homogenized and tighttexture, since the lateral sides of these parts of the beam areconvergent in the direction of the said vibration table, it beingunderstood that such beams will be by preference, executed by moldingand vibration.

The shape represented in the FIGURE 1 may evidently undergo numerousmodifications without however, deviating from the basic principlesdisclosed by the present description, constituted essentially by generalshape in the form of the capital letter E with one of the anges of Eless length transversely of the beam element than the two others.

Other modifications can also intervene, particularly in providing at allconvenient points, retracting or salient parts, in view of theparticularities of the constructions to be realized. Thus in the lowerportion inferior part, the beam can include heels or reentrant parts inview of fixing laths for nailing, especially to hang up ceilings orfalse ceilings. Also, the free longitudinal edge of the lower flange 4can be provided with openings, perforations or parts which are cut outin such a way, that by the juxtaposition of such adjoining beams, onerealizes ways, particularly for the arrangement of the mentioned means-of air-conditioning or others.

According to a leading characteristic of the invention, fioors, puggingsor other similar constructions are realized in an extremely simplemanner, as represented for example, in FIGURES 2 and 3, by the joinedplacing of the beam elements 1, in such a way that the aforesaid beamsbe juxtaposed at their dorsal side or body portions 8 and in such a waytoo, that these same beams are two by two, juxtaposed by the free edgesof the lower flanges 4 and flanges 5.

In FIGURE 3 the suffix b has been added to certain of the partscorresponding to the structure in FIGURE 1 to avoid needless repetition.

Thus there is created automatically, a cellular construction, formingtubular passages or enclosures 9, of which width D is substantiallygreater than the height H.

This 'very characteristic disposition determines, in the construction sorealized, real layers of occlusive air, which is particularly favorableto the insulation.

Furthermore, the same beam elements 1b, so juxtaposed, determine on thetop side of the resistance structure which they form, anchorage heads10b, for the lling mass 11b. This one can be constituted of all kinds ofappropriate materials, whether it has to contribute to the resistance ofthe construction, and/or to thermic or acoustic insulation.

Besides, one will be able to envisage perfectly a superposition ofdifferent kinds of layers, the whole in proportion to the constructionsto be realized.

Turning to FIGURE 4, here again certain corresponding parts are giventhe same reference characters with the suf-'tix c.

As it has been schematized in FIGURE 4, on this filling mass 11C can bedirectly or indirectly applied, respectively fixed, the walking surface12, also of appropriate material, which is well known. The aforesaidfilling mass 11C,

lmay also be provided with longitudinal and transversal reinforcements(not shown).

It may be pointed out, in respect to the reinforcements, that theconstructions realized in this manner, are particularly favorable totheir placing, because of the particular shape of the aforesaid beams inthe form of the letter E.

Of course, ordinary reinforcements or prestressed reinforcements, couldbe eventually placed either between the flanges of the beam or in theforeseen spacings and gaps for this purpose. It is also to be observedthat such beams lend themselves particularly well, not only to beingprefabricated, but also to being prestressed either by adherance or byanchorage.

As it is schematized in FIGURES 5 and 6, again certain correspondingparts are given the same reference characters with the respectivesufiixes d and e. The combination of such floors or puggings withceilings or false ceilings can easily be envisaged.

As it has been schematized in FIGURE 5, it would be sufiicient, forexample, to leave between the dorsal sides or body portions 2d of twoadjoining elements, a certain space 13, of which in the lower portionmay be inserted laths 14 for nailing, the remainder of the aforesaidspace being filled up with the filling material 11d. To said laths 14may be fixed, by all known means, elements of ceilings or false ceilings15, solid or in fretwork in all adequate material.

Equivalent results may be obtained as schematized in the FIGURE 6, inmaintaining the beams 1e perfectly jointed at their dorsal sides orbodies Se. In this modifcation there may be seen at the lower portion,adjacent to the aforesaid dorsal faces 8, a recess or gap 16 ofappropriate shape, in such a way, that when the aforesaid beams 1e, aredisposed jointed by their dorsal face, they delimit automatically acontinuous groove of appropriate shape, for example, in a dovetail formin which is inserted a nailing lath 17e, of adequate form.

As these executions are not limited, one could easily adapt the beams inthe essential purpose of the invention, to any kind of application ingeneral.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art to which thepresent invention relates.

I claim:

1. In combination, at least two pairs of beam elements each of which isE-shaped in cross-section, the median and lower fianges in each pairbeing placed in contact and said pairs arranged so that the back surfaceof one beam element is jointed to the back surface of another; and afilling mass disposed directly above the median flanges and engaging theuppermost flanges.

2. Structure as claimed in claim 1 in which the filling mass isconstituted by an agglomerate concrete.

3. Structure as claimed in claim 1 in which the filling mass isconstituted by an insulation material.

4. In combination, a plurality of beams for the execution of fioors,puggings and other similar constructions, each having a straight sectionsubstantially in the form of an E, which presents at least two lateralbranches of the same length, the external faces of the aforesaid beamspresenting gaps, laths engaged in said gaps, and a panel fixed on saidlaths.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 19,798 9/ 1908 GreatBritain. 745,492 2/1956 Great Britain. 829,283 3/1960 Great Britain.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner, I. K. BELL, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION, AT LEAST TWO PAIRS OF BEAM ELEMENTS EACH OF WHICH ISE-SHAPED IN CROSS-SECTION, THE MEDIAN AND LOWER FLANGES IN EACH PAIRBEING PLACED IN CONTACT AND SAID PAIRS ARRANGED SO THAT THE BACK SURFACEOF ONE BEAM ELEMENT IS JOINTED TO THE BACK SURFACE OF ANOTHER; AND AFILLING MASS DISPOSED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE MEDIAN FLANGES AND ENGAGING THEUPPERMOST FLANGES.